DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Country Grammer already has one Dubai World Cup win behind him but will have just one of 14 opponents outside him when a 15-runner field is loaded for Saturday’s $12 million World Cup.

After winning from post 4 here a year ago, Country Grammer will have to overcome post 14 if he’s to notch Dubai World Cup victory number 2. The right man for the job will be on his back. Frankie Dettori equaled Jerry Bailey’s record four World Cup wins when he piloted Country Grammer in 2022 and has the mount again Saturday.

Espirito was 1 1/4 lengths from qualifying for a $334,000 restricted stakes in April when he finished third in a lucrative six-furlong trial at Gosford Park last Thursday.

The $49,800 Civil City Handicap at about six furlongs at Albury Racecourse on Wednesday evening serves as a consolation.

Trained by Paul Murray, Espirito is part of a competitive field of 15 at Albury in a race that lacks a defined favorite. As of early Tuesday, Espirito and Super Helpful were 5-1 co-favorites, closely followed by Riddlero and Hardware Lane at 6-1.

Paul Lally:
R1 2-7-9-11

R2 2-1-3-12

R3 11-5-4-10

R4 1-2-5-11

R5 7-1-6-2

R6 1-9-7-4

The Australian filly Biscayne Bay was a stakes winner in May 2021, form she was unable to duplicate in eight starts in some of the country’s toughest races the ensuing year.

Biscayne Bay has been given lesser targets this year. After finishing a decent second in a seven-furlong handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse on March 1 in her first start since June, Biscayne Bay will start favored in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Tuesday evening.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, March 22, 2023)

The Rattlesnake had an ideal start to his career in August 2021, winning a half-mile maiden race at Ipswich Racecourse on Australia.

It seemed unlikely at the time that The Rattlesnake would lose his next 12 races, a streak that ended in a five-furlong handicap at Sunshine Coast Racecourse on March 3 in his first start since September.

The fine start to his 2023 campaign has made The Rattlesnake the 2-1 favorite in early betting to win for the third time in his career in a five-furlong handicap at Ballina Racecourse on Monday evening.

Never mind the wide post position, the slow pace or even a dull prep race. Voyage Bubble was at his best in the richest race of his career on Sunday in the $3.05 million Hong Kong Derby for 4-year-olds at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

Closing from last in a field of 14, Voyage Bubble ($93.60) won the Hong Kong Derby a nose over 10-1 Tuchel, who finished a nose in front of 6-5 favorite Beauty Eternal.

Wins on consecutive Saturdays this month have made a star of the Australian 2-year-old Shinzo.

After winning the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney on March 11 for his first win in his third start, Shinzo confirmed that form with a late rally in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes for Southern Hemisphere juveniles.

Ridden by world-renowned jockey Ryan Moore for the first time, Shinzo ($20.80) closed from seventh in a field of 15 to win by slightly more than a length over Cylinder, the 8-5 favorite who led in the final furlong.